The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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